The Historic Battle Of Cowpens

By Savannah Cox

Published June 10, 2014

Updated September 18, 2014

Outnumbered and out-resourced, the 1781 Battle of Cowpens was an essential win for the American forces during the War of Independence. Continental Army leader Daniel Morgan’s strategy — to weaken, disorganize and trap British forces “by fire” — proved to be successful. Historians would later praise the general for being the only general in American history “to produce a significant original tactical thought”.